Track Listing

1. Writing To Reach You
2. Fear
3. As You Are
4. Driftwood
5. Last Laugh Of The Laugh
6. Turn
7. Why Does It Always Rain On Me
8. Luv
9. She's So Strange
10. Slide Show

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14857 in Music
• Released on: 2004-12-13
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
The ultimate slow-burner, Travis's second album infused its way into the psyche of post-Radiohead Britain with an endearingly humble grace. It's not quite certain how Travis went from being the happy-clappy Britpop also-rans of their debut Good Feeling to becoming the gifted pop craftsmen that moulded the gentle emotional trough of the chart-topping The Man Who, but it would seem that the tired, lonely lovelorn niche is one that suits Travis rather well. So, "Writing To Reach You", "Driftwood" and "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" are the meekest songs to ever eat daytime radio alive. Elsewhere, "As You Are" sounds like Thom Yorke swaddled in blankets, and the closing "Slide Show" punctures rock mythology with an impossibly beautiful lyric: "There is no design for life/ There's no devil's haircut in my mind/ There is not a wonderwall to climb, or step around". --Louis Pattison

CD Description
Breakthrough album for the Glaswegian, jangly guitar pop act. 'The Man Who' is a much more downbeat affair than their debut album, 'Good Feeling'. The hit singles 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me', 'Driftwood', 'Turn' and 'Writing To Reach You' are all included.

Customer Reviews

Depressing? Hardly. Rather, triumphantly comtemplative
I just don't get it. How otherwise articulate and intelligent persons, obviously possessing great musical taste (or they would not have been persuaded to buy the album in the first place), can find only one ill-fitting word to describe this album.

Depressing? The album as a whole? I cannot think of a less fitting summation. Why is it that suddenly any song that is less than a headlong rush to the final bar is now depressing? Rather, the slower songs on this album are in turns wistful, autumnal, regretful, and accepting -- but, lest this dissuade potential buyers, let me say that this is only in contrast to the interspersed up tempo tracks.

We begin with Writing To Reach You, considered by some to be the strongest track. It certainly has a lot to offer, and may have contributed to the expectations of some who expect all tracks on an album to follow a pattern set by the first track.

Continue with The Fear, probably the best track in terms of lyrics (though some would contest that assertion with either Slide Show or Blue Flashing Light (of which more anon)). It may the least romantic love song I have ever heard.

Next comes As You Are, a song which for much of its length deserves the appelation 'filler.' But then it kicks into life, and redeems itself. Still strong lyrically (as all the songs are).

Then most people's favourite, Driftwood. We have gone from high-ish tempo, to medium, to medium-quick, to upbeat, and the contrast makes Driftwood stand out even more. Superb song.

Now my favourite, The Last Laugh of the Laughter. Far too rarely do we hear piano on indie tracks, and this use of it is so subtly mixed with the guitar that it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Perfect word-setting, marvelous melody and harmonies.

The glorious Turn is next, about which nothing really needs to be said. Brilliance shines out of this track like the sun, and like the sun, the track provides some contrast between Last Laugh and the next song, Why Does It Always Rain On Me.

WDIAROM is a classic track (though overplayed on the radio, IMO), and is probably the closest of all the tracks to the appellation 'depressing.' It seems to unselfconsciously wallow in its self-pity -- and yet curiously, does not outstay its welcome. The sheer perfection of the word-setting is probably the reason. For those who complain that all the non-release tracks are depressing, take the time to actually _listen_ to this one!

Next is Luv, and, while slow, is quite forward-looking. This is the song I would call wistful.

She's So Strange has garnered varying reactions from listeners. I must admit, it's the track I skip over most often, but still worth a listen. I think someone else hit the nail on the head with 'weird.' But, hey, 'strange' = 'weird'.

Then Slide Show. I am a sucker for solo 'cello, and in this track, it's used so well that even without lyrics this would be a contender for best track. Add in some of the most thoughtful lyrics on the album, and you have the perfect song to end the album.

But wait! We're not finished? Wait a while, and the hidden track reveals a side to Travis not heretofore seen in any of the other songs on the album. No, this is much harsher, more gritty -- dare I say it, more Scottish -- than the rest, and shows that while they may have grown up, there is still an element of 'Let's see what we can get away with.' Blue Flashing Light is probably my favourite track after Last Laugh.

And there you have it. Peaks and troughs of tempo, thoughtfulness, and sheer _joie de vivre_. A balanced album, in every sense of the word.

Travis, The Man Who.....surprised us all with his talent
Having never heard of Travis, I bought the album on the back of the single 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?', but I was still unsure. Having listened to it once I was captivated, after the second time, I was spellbound. Being a massive hard rock fan, it may surprise you that Travis' mellow tunes are possibly the best thing that I have heard for quite some time: its THAT good. Every song on the album is a potential release, and it appears that Fran and the rest of the group have put some thought into the album unlike some groups I have listened to. Don't cast the chance to buy it aside on the grounds that you only like 'Rap' or 'Heavy Metal'. Thanks to the sublime 'Driftwood', the passionate 'Last Laugh' and the thought-provoking 'Turn', this is an album of all tastes. Buy it, go on......

Travis at the climax of their career
Beautiful. The most peaceful and therapeutic record you will ever hear. Each track is filled with the gentle strumming of acoustic sensations combined with the harmonious words of Fran Healy, calm and flowing from one song to the next. The whole record is like early morning springtime at sea. The soft chords of the water ripple underneath the tinkle of raindrops in 'The Last Laugh Of The laughter' and the boat rocks rhythmically through the majestic 'Slide Show,' which has its references to Beck, The Manic Street Preachers and old time rock 'n roll pals Oasis, the latter of which have contributed the concept of "wonderwall" twice in this collection of epical ballads.

The album sets off from the docks with the ever familiar 'Writing to Reach You' and is arguably the best song Travis have released since the anthemic 'All I Wanna Do Is Rock' from the highly commendable 'Good Feeling.' By the time 'The Fear' arrives, the sails are flapping and the boat is well on its way.

Half the beauty of the record is the lyrics, as personal and heartfelt as the music. Fran's sincerity brings a sense of poetic justice to his words. Despite the balladic mood of the album, there is only one apparent love song entitled 'Luv,' ironically, which contains the sweet caresses of a slurring harmonica and echoed shakes of the tambourine whilst Healy quietly enquires; "What's so wrong?/Why the face so long?/Is it over?"

'The Man Who' is a floating ride in peace and tranquillity and drifts slowly down the river like a feather on the wind, affectionately rocking its way back to the harbour on a sea of acoustic guitars and a breeze of lyrical genius. Travis at their finest.